Blogs.Managing a Business

3 Tips for Growing Your Business During Tough Times

Rules of Conduct and Disclaimer

The SBA.gov site provides open, publicly accessible forums and communication tools for entrepreneurs and small business owners to learn, share, and discuss practical solutions to everyday business problems with each other, industry experts, and experts at government agencies.

By registering as a member of the SBA.gov, users may post to forums, blogs, and use other online resources for sharing information with other members. They may also share information about themselves and their businesses in their user profile.

These member-contributed resources and user profiles are moderated by the SBA team, which includes employees and contractors of the U.S. Small Business Administration and partner agencies.

Rules of Conduct

All member-contributed resources and user profiles are post moderated by the SBA team. Any contribution that does not meet these rules of conduct will be removed.

1. Comments and contributions to forum threads or blog posts should be descriptive, succinct, and relevant to discussion or forum topic.

1.a. To better facilitate conversation, moderators may move off-topic threads to another appropriate forum, close threads or delete off-topic posts at their discretion. Members may also start a new discussion that would otherwise be off-topic in the current thread.1.b. To maintain quality of discussions, contributions that do not provide a substantive purpose or relevance may be flagged by a moderator as abuse, and will be removed.

2. We encourage members to have open and candid discussions and debates. We will not censor members for expressing an opinion within the limits of these Rules of Conduct. However, all communications should be civil and polite. Members should treat each other with respect and consideration for all points of view. Please remember that this is a public venue read by many people of all ages, from around the world, spanning all walks of life.

3. SBA.gov may not be used to post, transmit or provide hyperlinks or pointers to material that is knowingly false and/or defamatory; contain ad hominem attacks, misleading, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening or invasive of a person's privacy; that otherwise violates any law; or that encourages conduct constituting a criminal offense.

4. Users are encouraged to discuss and share business knowledge and experiences. To ensure that all users will get the most out of the SBA.gov experience, the following linking policies are in effect to curb self-promotion and spam. Posts that do not adhere to these policies may have their links disabled or be removed.

4.a. SBA.gov may not be used to post, transmit or provide hyperlinks or pointers to press releases, newsletters, websites, or any other type of content that promote one's business, product or service or does not address the thread's topic. Members may include text-only references to relevant resources.4.b. Members may link to Federal, state, or local government websites for the purpose of sharing verified information.4.c. Members may use their profile page to share information about their business, products, or services, and may include only one (1) hyperlink to their commercial website.4.d. Members may include only one (1) link in their signature line. Any additional links to websites, social network profiles, or email addresses will be removed.

5. User names that might be deemed abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, invasive of a person's privacy, or otherwise inappropriate are not allowed and will be removed.

6. User names that are intended to mislead others will be removed. Such nicknames include but are not limited to using nicknames that impersonate competitors, other members, government employees, elected officials, or any other individual or entity.

7. Sock puppet accounts are not permitted. A sock puppet is an account made on an Internet message board by a person who already has an account for the purpose of posting anonymously or as a different user. Please use your own account for posting personal opinions. Posts from known sock puppet accounts will result in deletion of the posts and sock puppet accounts.

8. Email excerpts of any type or length are not allowed to be posted in forums, blogs or other tools.

9. To protect the privacy of members, and the privacy of others, members may not include anyone's personal information or personally identifiable information such as names, addresses, phone numbers or e-mail addresses, or social security numbers in any forum, blog, or other member contributed area.

10. Advertising: SBA.gov may not be used to advertise or promote businesses, products or services within the discussion boards, idea exchanges or blogs. Posts that contain pricing information will be considered abuse and removed from public view. Members may use their profile page to share information about themselves, their businesses, products, services and personal and professional background.

11. Intellectual property: SBA.gov may not be used to post material that is protected by copyright, trademark or other proprietary right without the express permission of the owner(s) of said copyright, trademark or other proprietary right.

12. Spam: Posting the same message, or an unsolicited commercial message, to one or many topics or boards is considered spam and will be removed. Duplicate messages may be deleted or consolidated by a Moderator.

13. Access Permissions:

13a. Certain portions of SBA are limited to registered users and/or allow a user to access services online by entering personal information. You must be at least 13 years old to become a registered user. If you are not at least 13, you will be removed from the registered area(s) and/or denied support or services if SBA does not receive written parental consent. As a term of registration, you agree that any information provided to us will be complete and accurate, that you will not register under the name of, nor attempt to enter the site under the name of, another person, and that you will not adopt a user name that SBA, in its sole discretion, deems offensive.13b. Abusive and harassing behavior or any actions that violate these Rules of Conduct may result in suspension of your ability to post to forums and other member-contributed areas. Account suspensions may be appealed to a Moderator.

14. Private discussions:Sometimes, a discussion thread strays off into a friendly dialogue or a heated debate among a very small number of users. For these exchanges, we ask that you take these discussions outside SBA.gov.

15. Blogging is forbidden: except as described in the Guest Blogger Guidelines, members may not blog or post blog-like messages on SBA.gov. The purpose of the SBA.gov is for small business owners to ask and answer questions. Discussing topics is encouraged, however excessive lecturing or commentary is prohibited.

User Profiles

Members may create personalized profiles, and opt to include personal identifiable information about themselves to everyone who visits SBA.gov. Except where noted above, the content of personal profiles is subject to the same Rules of Conduct as the forums, blogs and other member-contributed content.

The OMB Control Number for this collection is 3245-0375. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 90 second per response. If you have any comments concerning the status of your individual submission, the accuracy of the time estimate or suggestions for improving this form, please write to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Communications & Public Liaison, 409 3rd St. SW, Washington, D.C. 20024-3212.

Guest Contributors

Occasionally, the SBA team will invite guest bloggers from industry and government to contribute their expertise. Please read the disclaimer below concerning the views expressed in contributions from guest contributors.

Moderators

SBA.gov is moderated by the SBA team, which includes employees and contractors of the U.S. Small Business Administration and partner agencies. We recognize that the Web is a 24/7 medium, and your comments are welcome at any time. Given the need to manage Federal resources effectively, however, we will generally review comments and contributions from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. We will read and respond to comments submitted after hours, on weekends, or on holidays as early as possible the next business day.

Privacy Policy

The privacy of users and members of SBA.gov is very important, and we encourage you to read the SBA Privacy Policy.

Disclaimer

You are accessing a U S Government information system, which includes (1) this computer, (2) this computer network, (3) all computers connected to this network, and (4) all devices and storage media attached to this network or to a computer on this network. This information system is provided for U.S. Government-authorized use only.

Unauthorized or improper use of this system may result in civil and criminal penalties.

By using this information system, you understand and consent to the following:

You have no reasonable expectation of privacy regarding any communications or data transiting or stored on this information system. At any time, the government may for any lawful government purpose monitor, intercept, search and seize any communication or data transiting or stored on this information system.

Any communications or data transiting or stored on this information system may be disclosed or used for any lawful government purpose.

Your consent is final and irrevocable. You may not rely on any statements or informal policies purporting to provide you with any expectation of privacy regarding communications on this system.

Except when specifically noted, any views or opinions expressed on SBA.gov forums, blogs or member-contributed resources are those of the individual contributors. The views and posted comments do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Small Business Administration, partner agencies, or the Federal government. Information on SBA.gov site is provided as a service to the Internet community, and does not constitute legal advice. SBA aims to provide quality and accurate information, but we make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to by SBA on the website. The SBA does not endorse the organizations sponsoring linked websites, and we do not endorse the views they express or the products/services they offer. The SBA cannot authorize the use of copyrighted materials contained in linked websites. Users must request such authorization from the sponsor of the linked website. The SBA is not responsible for transmissions users receive from linked websites. The SBA does not guarantee that outside websites comply with Section 508 (Accessibility Requirements) of the Rehabilitation Act. Since laws and regulations change frequently, nothing provided herein should be used as a substitute for the advice of an attorney.

3 Tips for Growing Your Business During Tough Times

The idea of starting a business during a recession or growing a business during tough times may sound like the ultimate challenge for any entrepreneur or small business owner. Yet, time and time again, small businesses prove that with agility, planning, and the right resources, tough times aren’t just survivable – they can spur growth.

From humble beginnings in his basement, Cochran created a design and prototype for a mobile surgery unit and quickly expanded his market. Cochran hit a rough patch in 1999 when financing ran dry and the company nearly closed its doors. Much of Cochran’s core team – inspired by his own perseverance, optimism and faith – worked without pay. They were reimbursed later, when the company rebounded.

During his tenure in business, Cochran has benefited from the support of three SBA loans. Driven by his perseverance, today MMI’s staff has grown to 54 employees with gross revenues of more than $14 million.

Strategies for Growth in Tough Times

Independent strategies for survival and growth vary, but there are many common denominators and tactics characteristic of small business success during tough economic times. Here are a few strategies and tactics to consider:

1. Focus on Core Strengths

Diversification into new products and markets is a core growth strategy, but in tough times it usually pays to stick to what you do best and refine your business’ strengths in key product or market areas.

2. Find the Right Team

In order to grow, you’ll need the right team behind you, and you need to be lean. Finding the right talent the first time means that a smart hiring strategy should be part of your growth plan. Some Small business owners have the knack for identifying the right employee fit. Some don’t. Understanding the talents you need to help you grow can be challenging. Consider consulting a mentor – a business acquaintance or someone from a professional and free mentoring organization like SCORE. These folks have walked in your shoes and can help.

3. Look for Ways to Cut Costs

From buying used office furniture to moving back into the home office, savvy business owners can save money on just about everything. Here are just a few ideas:

- Market Smarter – Cut your marketing budget and develop a smart marketing strategy. Can you refine your online marketing plan and focus on using your Facebook page to grow and nurture your specific target demographic? If your business depends on local custom, consider more community marketing activities that will put your business in front of your target customers. Sponsoring charitable events in your community or setting up a fundraiser for a good cause can generate great exposure for your business.

Smarter marketing also means having more oversight over campaigns and programs with a view to return on investment. Don’t just let campaigns run their course; get more from your dollars by adjusting your tactics, segmenting your lists, and delivering targeted messages. Rieva Lesonsky’s guest blog explains how to Give your Marketing a Checkup.

- Cut Your Business Expenses – It sounds obvious, but a review of all your outgoing expenses can point the way to quick savings. Create a list of necessary expenses and optional expenses. Pay close attention to how your employees spend your money. Use plastic – it may sound contrary to a cost-saving plan, but credit cards can give you perks such as miles and other benefits. You can put limits on cards so employees can’t overspend.

- Automate Your Systems – Automating systems, such as accounting, invoicing and payroll, can save time and money. Here are some tips for doing that:

- Use Technology Wisely – Cut back on business travel and other communication expenses by using free web conferencing tools like Skype. What about cloud computing? Migrating business functions online (or to the cloud) can realize big savings. Even your tablet computer can help you cut staffing costs! These blog posts offer more tips:

- Hire a Virtual Assistant – Virtual assistants are a low-cost way of handling business administration functions, freeing up your time, reducing staffing costs, and making sure you have the back-up you need to keep your business running smoothly.

About the Author:

Caron Beesley is a small business owner, a writer, and marketing communications consultant. Caron works with the SBA.gov team to promote essential government resources that help entrepreneurs and small business owners start-up, grow and succeed. Follow Caron on Twitter: @caronbeesley

Comments:

elise-x | 5/4/2014 - 11:23 am

Virtual assistants are a good idea, but they're very hard to train and it's even more difficult to find a reliable one, or so I hear. I don't think you can count on hiring a single virtual assistant to ensure the survival of a company, though I guess every little bit of help does make some difference overall.

noelwiltbank | 11/19/2013 - 11:58 pm

Caron,
We are an appliance repair company in Spokane and know first hand how hard it is to grow a business in a tough economy. Spokane is a decent sized city, but with the down economy people have been trying to cut cost any way they can and at the same time we have seen many newbie repair guys coming into the market.
We found that we needed to be more proactive with our advertising, so instead of cutting cost we started moving more of our ad budget into online ads. Its been paying off as we get enough business to keep us busy every week. So we have definitely been 'Marketing Smarter'.
Its amazing what tough times can do for your business. You start to see what really matters and start spending the advertising budget 'more wisely'.
- Noel

media_challenge | 10/17/2012 - 6:40 am

I'm beginning to love your blog Caron!
It's good that you mentioned video production on this post as it is a fantastic marketing tool. According to a global digital market measurement service, a regular web user watches about 200 videos a month, which makes it to more than 6 videos a day, 33% of these users end up watching the video until the end. It is also proven that it is one of the most affordable and effective marketing methods you can use and has seen to boost conversion rates by about 50 percent

Freayi | 1/11/2013 - 12:56 pm

Thanks for explaining a bit more about video production, media_challenge. I've found that your details a pretty accurate. Although, I just thought I'd mention another corporate video production company, Vizkick ( http://www.vizkick.com ). They really have helped with increases overall business.

sean222 | 5/13/2012 - 6:37 pm

Appreciated! that is really about what i was consious about that great guidances on how to prevent your business identity employees know only a small part of the whole process!

Home-Business | 5/11/2012 - 6:30 pm

I agree with the previous commenter about marketing through volunteer work. This strategy can work especially well for service-based businesses who can essentially give a free demo of their skills and expertise to organizations who may end up hiring them for other jobs in the future - or who can be a great resource of referrals. The rule of reciprocity works in interesting ways.

Nokhamlaw | 4/20/2012 - 10:47 am

Marketing through volunteer work at your local non-profit organizations is one of the most effective tools in your arsenal. Everybody wins and it may just take a few hours of your time.

Photo123 | 4/17/2012 - 10:10 pm

I really think that "Market Smarter" is so relevant. It really starts with really getting to know your customers and where they hang out. This way you can really target them at a low cost because so much is done online these days you can really increase your ROI. Great article.

applianceparts | 4/16/2012 - 12:04 pm

Thank you so much! Very helpful information!
Thanks again!

Nina123 | 4/12/2012 - 7:36 am

These are really interesting advices you have given though some cost just can't be cut because they are vital and it is very hard when they are too high and you have nothing to cut what will you do?